Notre Dame Football: Top 5 prospects for 2020 NFL Draft

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

2. Chase Claypool, WR

It only took Boykin and Mack one season under quarterback Ian Book to prove themselves worthy of being selected in the 2019 Draft, so there’s reason to believe wide receiver Chase Claypool could do the same should he really take off this season.

It’s pretty much been established that Irish receivers should have their years under former quarterback Brandon Wimbush wiped from their records after seeing the boom in production experienced by the Notre Dame offense under Book. This, among other things, is likely why NFL teams found Boykin and Mack worth a pick after only one year in Book’s offense.

Claypool could be in a similar boat come the 2020 draft as he has increased both his yardage and touchdown production in consecutive years. Despite taking part in an offense that really spread the ball around, Claypool finished second to only Boykin in both receiving yards and touchdowns in 2018.

With Boykin gone, Claypool should once again be one of Book’s top options, this time alongside slot receiver Chris Finke and tight end Cole Kmet. An exceptional year could get Claypool over 1,000 receiving yards, but somewhere in the ballpark of 800 would likely warrant a selection in next year’s draft considering Book’s propensity for spreading the ball around.

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